Trip from Palos Heights, IL to Peoria, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

152 mi

245 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 45m ★

6 AM

2h 56m

8 AM

3h 18m

10 AM

3h 4m

12 PM

3h 2m

3 PM

3h 5m

5 PM

3h 17m

8 PM

2h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Palos Heights, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Peoria, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 152-mile drive from Palos Heights, Illinois, to Peoria, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of the journey on interstates like I-55, I-74, and I-80, making it a quick connection between two Midwest hubs. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this trip offers an economical way to get between these Illinois cities. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a direct and efficient journey rather than a leisurely exploration.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

76 miles from Palos Heights, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	86.6 mi	1h 33m
I 74	33.4 mi	36m
I 80	22.3 mi	27m
Harlem Avenue	7.8 mi	14m
IL 29	0.2 mi	<1m
Northeast Jefferson Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m
Spalding Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m
West 123rd Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 86.6 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palos Heights, IL and Peoria, IL.

Start on this road

41 ft · 5 sec · this road

Turn right onto West 123rd Street

50 ft · 4 sec · West 123rd Street

Turn left onto IL 43

7.8 mi · 14 min · Harlem Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 80 West: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80

22 mi · 27 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 55

87 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 55

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 74 West: Peoria Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 74

27 mi · 29 min · I 74

Keep slight right at fork onto I 74

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 74

Toward I 74 West: Peoria

Take the exit onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 23 sec · IL 29

Toward IL 29 North: Downtown Peoria

Continue on Spalding Avenue

452 ft · 20 sec · Spalding Avenue

Turn left onto IL 29

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Arrive at destination

Northeast Jefferson Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip is best suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination or to return before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick refueling break or skip it altogether if your vehicle has sufficient range. The longest stretch of 86.6 miles on I-55 means you'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. This efficient route offers flexibility, allowing you to depart and arrive at your convenience.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 76 miles from Palos Heights, IL, or about 1h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 33 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76 miles or 1h 32m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Palos Heights, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Palos Heights, IL

This is one driving day of about 152 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Palos Heights, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 86.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meaning; a form of language processing

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Reading, IL

76 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reading, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76 miles from Palos Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Channahon, Illinois

1.3 mi

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Peoria, Illinois

1.2 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Orland Park Bakery and Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tinley Park, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 13min in 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+17083779020

Visit website

Dubai Coffee & More

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mokena, Illinois

0.7 mi

WaterShed Cafe and Books

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mokena, Illinois

1.7 mi

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+13096431089

Visit website

3 Rivers Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18158285110

Visit website

Haddad's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+13096725339

One World

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+13096721522

Visit website

Bootsma Bookstore Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Palos Heights, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17082393976

Eggcellent Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13096431218

Visit website

FAJITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OF MOKENA

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17089955737

Visit website

Los Angeles Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+17084785110

Visit website

Orland Park Bakery and Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+17083779020

Visit website

Dubai Coffee & More

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17089799995

Visit website

WaterShed Cafe and Books

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18154645230

Visit website

Jitters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18157400048

Social Butterfly Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18152009829

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17085813915

Visit website

Original Mocha Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Tinley Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+17089044960

Visit website

Crepe N Brew

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

New Lenox, Illinois

Hours: 2–9 pm

+18157178097

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

East Peoria, Illinois

InCharge Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Morton, Illinois

2.2 mi from route

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Caffe Milan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18154697124

Visit website

Fratello's Deli & Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Mokena, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–6 pm

+17089956082

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 117.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 123rd Street

Turn right onto West 123rd Street

Navigation decision point

7.8 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Joliet

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Joliet

8.4 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

30.6 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126A Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

117.6 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 74 West: Peoria

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 74 West: Peoria

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.76 one way

$47.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$26.09	$52.18
premium	$4.89	$29.25	$58.50
diesel	$5.61	$33.56	$67.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.6	$15.96	$7.30
Efficient EV	38	$13.30	$6.08
EV Truck/SUV	60.8	$21.28	$9.73

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Palos Heights, IL

Morning in Palos Heights on Tuesday

Local time

8:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

WNW 15 to 20 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Destination

Peoria, IL

Morning in Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

8:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Reading, IL

76 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

18 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 56m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for this 152-mile excursion, with 94% of your travel on interstates. The majority of your time will be spent on I-55, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.6 miles. While primarily interstate, the route transitions as you move from I-55 to I-74 and I-80, offering a consistent, fast-paced experience. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing directness and speed over scenic detours.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 74. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 123rd Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 123rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Palos Heights, IL

Full guide →

Palos Heights (also known simply as Palos) is a town in Chicago's southern suburbs with a large Muslim minority.

Arriving in Peoria, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1680

Peoria is a city in Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. It serves as a regional hub for the primarily rural and agricultural center of the state. Peoria is a small but diverse city of approximately 115,000 people that anchors a three-county metropolitan area of nearly 400,000.

Top landmarks

• Madison Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Peoria, Illinois, United States
• Hotel Père Marquette — hotel in downtown Peoria, Illinois
• Illinois Waterway Project Office — U.S. Army Core of Engineers facility in Peoria, Illinois

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 152 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Peoria, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Peoria, IL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Palos Heights, IL or browse trips ending in Peoria, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Palos Heights, IL to Peoria, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

Orland Park Bakery and Cafe

Honey Sugar's Cafe, LLC

3 Rivers Café

Haddad's Restaurant

One World

Bootsma Bookstore Cafe

Eggcellent Cafe

FAJITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OF MOKENA

Los Angeles Cafe

Orland Park Bakery and Cafe

Dubai Coffee & More

WaterShed Cafe and Books

Jitters

Social Butterfly Coffee

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Original Mocha Coffee House

Crepe N Brew

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

InCharge Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Westbound

Mackinaw Dells Rest Area Eastbound

Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)

Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

The Wine Cafe

Caffe Milan

Fratello's Deli & Cafe

Dock Rotz Tavern

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Palos Heights, IL

Peoria, IL

Same local time

18 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 56m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Palos Heights, IL

Arriving in Peoria, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More